Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

12 reasons you can give to be exempt from wearing a face mask

12 reasons you can give to be exempt from wearing a face mask

Face coverings have become commonplace in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and now they’re even more so as wearing them is now mandatory shops in England.

The new ruling states that face coverings will be compulsory – bringing England into line with Scotland where it is already mandatory to wear a mask or covering in shops – with those who don’t comply could face a £100 fine.

There are, however, some exceptions to from the face covering rule, with the Government outlining 12 reasons which would excuse you and/or your children from wearing one should they apply…


Who is exempt from wearing a face covering?

The Government’s website states that the following will be exempt from wearing a face mask:

Children under 11 years old
Anyone not able to put on, wear or take off a face covering owing to a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
Anyone who would be caused extreme distress by donning, wearing or taking off a face covering
Anyone travelling with or providing assistance to a person who relies on lip-reading for communicating
Anyone who needs to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to themselves or others
Anyone who does not have a face covering with them and needs to avoid injury, or to escape the risk of harm
People who need to eat or drink if reasonably necessary
A person who needs to take off their mask in order to take medication


Situations which would jutify the removal of masks include:

If a police officer or other official asks someone to take their face covering off

If someone is asked to take their mask off in a post office, bank or building so that they can be identified

If someone is asked to take their mask off by shop employees for identification, so they can check your age – for example when buying age-restricted products like alcohol – and for the purpose of assessing health recommendations – for example, when speaking to a pharmacist

If a person is speaking with someone who relies on lip reading, facial expressions and/or clear sound

If any of these reasons apply to you, or you find yourself in any of the scenarios listed above, then you will be exempt from wearing face masks.


Which medical conditions are exempt from wearing a face covering?

Although specific medical conditions have not been named, it’s been suggested that those with asthma and respiratory conditions could be exempt if wearing a mask makes it difficult for them to breathe.

Jessica Kirby, Asthma UK’s Head Of Advice has said in a statement: ‘For some people with asthma, wearing a face covering might not be easy. It could make it feel harder to breathe.

‘The UK government has advised that people with respiratory conditions don’t need to wear face coverings, so if you are finding it hard, then don’t wear one.

‘If you’re comfortable to wear a face covering, please use a cloth or home-made one, not a medical type face mask.’


How to get a face mask exemption card

Asthma UK have also made face covering exemption cards available at their website, as have Transport For London, for anyone using public transport who is unable to wear a face covering.

If you have a medical condition and you are unsure whether you should be exempt from wearing a face covering, your best bet is to contact your GP for advice.

Other charities such as Hidden Disabilities offer cards you can download, but none of these cards are official Government documents.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
×